Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Hire a swing band for your wedding or party, to play the best danceable jazz, swing and jump jive across the decades: from Ellington, Louis Prima and Sinatra through to swinging versions of the latest pop music.
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Vintage vocal harmony group that will transport you back to the swinging sounds of the 30s, 40s, and 50s at any event, from private gatherings to public festivals.
Refined and dynamic, this jazz, soul, and pop band brings timeless favourites to life with effortless charm.
Delivering a diverse range of songs from many genres and decades, reinvented in a captivating vintage style from upbeat funk, jazz standards or Brazilian samba and Latin beats.
The Speakeasy Queens are a vocal trio inspired by the 1920s, offering a distinctive twist by blending contemporary and timeless hits with the vibrant and bold sounds of the Roaring Twenties. Their mesmerizing shows leave audiences enchanted and eager for an encore.
Retro close harmony group who’ve performed for Tiffanys, Bentley and Barclays singing modern and vintage music, available acappella or with backing tracks!
A traditional gypsy jazz and acoustic swing band, these folks masterfully play Django Reinhardt classics, along with swing-style covers of modern artists. Available as an instrumental line-up or with female vocals.
Fun, lively 4-piece playing classic and modern rock & pop with a jazzy, boho twist! The band's winning combination of infectious energy and dancefloor cool is winning over audiences at weddings and parties up and down the UK.
An accomplished and award-winning Italian-American vocalist with over 15 years of experience, has graced international stages and performed at numerous high-end venues and jazz clubs as well as various corporate and private events.
Dazzling vocalist with a variety of shows spanning from 1910's through to the 60s! Wartime inspired shows to rock n roll favourites, The Gatsby Girl has something to offer for all events.
Sensational jazz and swing band, blending timeless jazz classics, energetic swing tunes, and modern twists on pop favourites.
Superb gypsy jazz trio playing a lively and eclectic mixture of Latin and jazz standards, with some surprising pop covers thrown into the mix, too. Extra musicians and solo guitar sets available. Low season and midweek discounts.
This versatile jazz and swing ensemble really is a cut above the rest! Their plethora of material spans the contemporary chart hits from the last 80 years. Larger line-ups, lead male vocals, acoustic afternoon sets and DJ service are available.
Unique throwback to the Jazz Age of the 1920s & 30s, when The "Charleston" was all the rage, and the swells were "Putting on the Ritz". Also available as a roaming option!
The ultimate Rat Pack tribute show, full to the brim with timeless songs, amusing anecdotes, classic comedy and charismatic performances, and capturing the essence of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr.
A swinging big band playing a winning, energetic mix of 30s jazz, 40s swing & jive, 50s rock'n'roll and 60s soul hits. Afternoon trio or quartet sets and DJ service available.
Classy vintage style gypsy jazz/swing band featuring refined female vocals, two guitars and double bass. The band play jazz, swing, Latin, bebop, fusion and modern music.
A captivating and fashionable gypsy jazz ensemble, performing in the illustrious style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli from the vibrant Parisian scene of the 1930s. Additionally, they offer the option of a trio lineup for your enjoyment.
Offering jazz reworks of contemporary hits alongside classic Rat Pack repertoire, Postmodern Swing Club will take you by surprise with their reworked vintage versions of Katy Perry and Oasis to Nirvana and Radiohead! Larger line-ups also available.
A highly accomplished male tribute vocalist singing in the Rat Pack style, who has worked and sung alongside artists such as Paul McCartney and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. DJ service available.
A gathering of the UK's top burlesque and variety performers, presented by renowned figures reminiscent of The Rat Pack.
Swing music was popularised by bandleaders such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller, and became a staple of dance halls and nightclubs during the 1930s and 1940s.
Swing music is energetic and upbeat, so if you're looking to create a lively atmosphere and encourage people to dance, hiring a swing band is the perfect option!
Not always. Most swing bands play a varied selection of swing and related genres:
Classic swing and big band music
Classic songs from the swing band era (1930s and 1940s). Popular tunes include: Sing, Sing, Sing, In the Mood, Take the A Train, Chattanooga Choo Choo and Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway
Rat Pack and crooner standards
Songs from the late 1940s through to the 1960s, popularised by artists such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Songs include: Come Fly with Me, Fly Me To The Moon and L.O.VE
Pop songs performed in a vintage style
Often referred to as "postmodern jazz", this style became hugely popular thanks to bands such as Postmodern Jukebox and Nouvelle Vague. These bands re-imagine and perform popular songs in vintage musical styles, from swing and jazz to ragtime and bossa nova.
Other genres
Some of our bands will include uptempo songs in closely related genres, such as jump jive, soul, blues and gospel. Some examples are: Hallelujah I Love Her, Hey Bartender, Hit The Road Jack, Jump, Jive, and Wail and Straighten Up And Fly Right.
Yes! But this depends on the line-up. Make sure your swing band includes a drummer – providing an essential rhythmic element for dancing.
A vocalist/frontman/frontwoman is also recommended for dancing. This provides a focal point for your guests and makes the performance more interactive.
This depends on the line-up. For small swing band consisting of 5 members you'll need a performance area (or stage if you can provide one) measuring 5 metres across by 3 metres deep.
Before researching bands, consider the size and layout of your event space, as well as the number of guests you are expecting. A swing band can take up a significant amount of space and may be too loud for a small or intimate gathering. It's also important to consider your budget and the cost of hiring a band.
Lastly, don't forget to have a dance floor set up and encourage your guests to join in the fun!
Yes! Jive music evolved from swing music, but incorporates elements of jump blues, boogie woogie, and early rock'n'roll. It typically features a driving rhythm section, with a strong emphasis on the drums and bass, as well as a brass section with trumpets and trombones.
Jive music is often associated with dance, particularly the jitterbug and the swing dances of the 1930s and 1940s. The fast tempo and upbeat rhythm make it ideal for lively, energetic dancing, with dancers performing a range of kicks, flicks, and other fast-paced movements.
Some well-known examples of jive music include "Jump, Jive, and Wail" by Louis Prima, "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets, "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley, and "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" by Louis Jordan.
Our swing bands typically perform for 2 hours. This can usually be divided into two sets of sixty minutes each, or three sets of forty minutes each.
Most bands will be able to play recorded music via their sound systems in the intervals, to ensure you're never in silence.
There are several reasons why we'd recommend booking a swing band for your wedding or event:
In summary, booking a wedding swing band will add a touch of class, energy, and fun, and create a memorable experience for you and your guests.
Most of our swing bands can perform within the limits of sound limiters with no problems, though always check the noise restrictions at your venue and let us know the decibel limit, so we can suggest appropriate bands.
In many cases, levels can be reduced by asking the drummer to use brushes or “hot rods” instead of wooden sticks.
Our swing wedding bands will be happy to learn and perform your first dance request – provided they think they can arrange it for their line-up and do it justice.
Firstly, check the band's profile page on our website, to see if the song is already featured on their song list.
If it's not, let us know your request and we'll run it past the band and let you know if they'd be happy to learn and rehearse it for you.
If they're not, don't worry, they'll make sure they play the recorded version through their PA system instead, at the right time.
Assuming you've booked a swing band to perform in the evening, they'll aim to arrive from 5pm or 6pm.
Their set up and sound-check will then take between 60-90 minutes (depending on the size of the band), so please make sure they have a closed off room for this period. If you can't close the room off, don't panic, we can arrange a silent "line-check" instead, so as not to disturb your guests.
Aside from sufficient space, you'll just need to allow the band access to at least two standard domestic plug sockets.
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